What do you think is the most stolen item from vehicles?

Is it:  (A) Stereo  (B) Wheels  (C) Airbags  (D) DVD System

Well, if you said stereo – you used to be right.  But now airbags have surpassed stereos as the most stolen item – approximately 50,000 a year are stolen nationally in the United States.  New airbags cost about $1,000 but stolen airbags are sold on the black market for $50 to $200.  Stolen airbags are finding their way into vehicles that have been involved in an accident.    Of course, the danger to the consumer of having a stolen airbag installed is that you can never be sure what may have previously affected them and if they will work correctly when you need them.

There have been reports that 1 in 25 airbag replacements are either stolen or salvaged airbags – or no airbag is installed at all.

That is definitely a part that you don’t want to take a chance with, so we recommend the following guidelines:

• Use a reputable collision repair center that employs ASE certified mechanics.
• Inspect the invoice to ensure that the repair shops purchased the airbag from a manufacturer, or dealer.
• If you can inspect the airbag prior to installation, it should be packaged in a sealed container from the manufacturer or dealer.

You will see the SRS ( Supplemental Restraint System) light come on when you first start your vehicle.  This tells you that the airbag system is activated,  If you don’t see the SRS light, there is a problem with the airbag system.  Have the system checked right away and don’t let yourself become an injured victim.